New York Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes rides scoreless streak into more important appearances

Jim McIsaac/GettyPhil Hughes has pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings over his last five bullpen appearances.

NEW YORK -- With the tying run on second with two outs in the sixth inning, Phil Hughes was called upon. One pitch later, he was back in the dugout.

"It was easy," Hughes said.

Pitching in his highest leveraged situation this season -- and entering a close game mid-inning for the first time -- Hughes showed great proficiency in relief. After the one pitch to retire Omir Santos in the sixth, he allowed a leadoff walk to Luis Castillo in the seventh, but set the Mets down in order after that on 10 pitches.

Over his last five outings, Hughes has thrown 7 1 /3 innings of scoreless baseball in relief. He has struck out nine and walked just one. And 66 percent of his pitches have been strikes.

His fastball hit 96 at one point Sunday night and his stuff has improved during the transition to the bullpen -- normal for any starter making the move, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.

"He's been really, really good down there," Girardi said.

When the switch was made, moving Hughes from the rotation into the bullpen, the 23-year-old pitcher downplayed the difficulty.

A month into the assignment and it looks like Hughes was right all along.

"I really haven't had much trouble adapting going to the bullpen," Hughes said. "Sometimes you hear guys who it takes getting used to. But for me, it's just pitching. Every time out there, I just need to throw the ball well and not worry about what my role is."

Girardi said that role could be increasing. He said he is comfortable using Hughes in the seventh -- and even on back-to-back days, which has yet to happen.

And Hughes, who will likely return to a starting role next season, could become an even more valuable piece to the Yankees bullpen for the remainder of this season.

"I think I've done a good job of going after guys," Hughes said, "and getting us out of the inning as soon as possible."